Blog prompt: Letter to the Minister of Education

I am writing to express my opinion on how to improve the current History syllabus for secondary students. I feel that the current syllabus they are studying is not interesting and engaging enough as they only read about historical events in the past. As a result, they feel that History is dull and boring and only study History to score well in their examinations and tests. Also, they only have knowledge gained from textbooks and not know first-hand how the past events they are studying about took place. They should be allowed to progress beyond mere textbook studying in the classroom, if they are to study History truly because they find it interesting.

Thus, the Ministry of Education (MOE) could implement a scheme whereby secondary schools organize various field trips for students during History lessons or workshops to places of historical importance, like placetype Fort Canning at Sentosa Island or the Kranji War Memorial. I believe that by executing this idea, students will be more immersed in history as they will be able to actually look at go to these historic places. Also, students could visit heritage museums to look at the items there that were used in the past and, at the same time, understand what the past citizens of Singapore were like, their way of life, their culture and tradition, etcetera. Finally, there could also be chit-chat sessions for students and their History teachers or even invite renowned historians to schools to answer any queries students might have concerning History. This would surely incorporate and cultivate their interest for History and encourage them to take the initiative to study History on their own. Implementing these measures would undoubtedly make learning History an enjoyable as well as enriching experience for students.

Yours Faithfully,
Lee Dao Ming (Mr.)

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Issues in Flowers for Algernon: Intrapersonal

Take note: This is an ACE project. I am not mentally challenged.

Today I feel very sad, very very sad. I donno why the children are so bad. I am angry and sad. I come home and I cries loudly. Mummy ask me why I cry. I told her when I am walking in the park today I see two people playing with toys in a garden. They look very happy. I want to play with them and say hi. So I ring the doorbell and wave. But when they see me they point at me and laugh and run away. I am very angry and no understand. Why they run away when I want to make friend and play with them? Is it they don’t want to be my friend? I very angry and hit the gate very hard and press the doorbell a lot of times and ask them open the door. But they run into the house. I even more angrier and shout. I climb over the gate then I see a cute doggy. I want to pet it but it bite my hand. I very scared and confused. Me hand is now red and hurts so I quickly run away to my house and hide under the bed. Why even doggy don’t want to make friend with me? Nobody want to be my friend. I am very sad and cries loudly.

Tonight Mummy want me to bathe. I am still angrys and don’t care and run and hide. When Mummy finds me and asks me to bathe I shout at her. I don’t like to bathe. I want to stay up and play too. Mummy says I must bathe or else insects will bite me but I still hide under the bed. Mummy try to drag me to the bathroom. I am very very angrys and bite her arm very hard and run away again. Why I must bathe everyday and cannot stay up and play? It’s so unfair! Mummy says she don’t care about me anymore and go inside her bedroom and slam the door very loudly. I am very sad. Nobody, even Mummy, wants me. I cries and goes to lie down on my bed. I tries to sleep but my body is very itchy and I keep scratching it. I donno why and keep turning and cannot sleep until the next day. Maybe next time I will bathe before I sleeps.

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Happy Chinese New Year to All!

I wish everyone a very happy Chinese New Year! I have been very busy with homework and trials this past week and have not been able to post anything.

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NEWS CLIP #1 FISHY BUSINESS Blog Prompt Q1

Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today I am going to address a topic which is of grave concern to us. As a member of the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, I am compelled to raise awareness about the cruelty of the fishing industry to whales. Until 1997, whaling in Japan was allowed. As a result of that, thousands of whales were mercilessly slaughtered each year in Japan, mainly for their most prized possession:oil, which can be extracted from their thick blubber. Their meat is also considered as a delicacy in Japan.

However, although commercial whaling was banned in 1997 because of pressure from various countries, Japan began what it termed "Scientific research on whales" in 1998 as a basis to continue whaling. Since then, the number of whales killed under the project, called JARPA, has risen sharply, from less than 200 at first to more than a thousand in 2007. Throughout the course of the entire project, samples were obtained from 6800 whales. However, less than 55 peer-reviewed papers were produced, of which only 14 were claimed to be relevant to the goals of the JARPA program and that only four would require lethal sampling.

This has sparked a worldwide controversy. Numerous anti-whaling groups have sprung up to protest against Japan's whaling. One of the more well-known ones, Greenpeace, argues that whales are endangered and must be protected. We, of the SPCA, sincerely urge all of you to help conserve our whales, simply just by signing a petition against whaling. It will be delivered to the International Whaling Commission.

Thank you for your attention and have a pleasant day.

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The Best Job in the World!

No, the title's no boast. I read the article the day before. Apparently, the Queensland state government is paying a female or male job applicant to laze on a paradise island 100,000 US dollars! That's almost 148,700,000 SG dollars! So, if you are over 18, a fantastic and charismatic communicator and able to speak and write English, feel free to apply for the job. However, chances are extremely low. Millions of people WORLDWIDE have applied for it. After all, who wouldn't want to be paid to relax and have fun?

However, it is not all play and no work. In return for 6 months of rent-free stay at a 3-storey bungalow, access to the beautiful beaches and coral reefs, the lucky employee will be have blog about his experience there, including his exploration of the Great Barrier Reef and feelings about the stay there. But, a few hours of blogging is no sacrifice compared to bagging that job! So, if you're eager to try for it, visit this website: http://www.islandreefjob.com/

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Attack on a Member Of Parliment.

I read an article the day before about Mr. Seng Han Thong of the ruling People's Action Party being assailed by an old man. The assailant allegedly strode up to Mr. Seng when the victim was attending a lunch hosted my his party and drenched him with a bottle of thinner and ignited him with a kitchen stove lighter.

The lawmaker's companion tried frantically to douse the flames and got burnt in the process of doing so. They were rushed to the hospital immediately. The attacker tried in vain to escape vailant policemen but was arrested and escorted to the police station to press charges. It was found out that he was Ong Kah Chua, a former taxi driver and mental patient. He has been charged in court for voluntarily causing grievous hurt, an offense punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Both the MP and his companion are currently recuperating at the hospital after undergoing skin graft operations.

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Secondary One CCA tryouts today

Today there were Secondary One tryouts for the various sports and clubs again, for those who had not chosen a Co-curricular Activity. I failed to get into the badminton team again but not too disappointed. Feet are sore after trying out for track-and-field.
I hope to join either softball or track-and-field. Less homework today so more time to relax in front of the computer and catch up on reading.

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CCA Tryouts

Today I tried out for the various Co-Curricular Activities at Hwa Chong. I failed miserably at badminton, which I was hoping to get into. Tennis, basketball and volleyball also rejected me. Sigh...... At least softball asked me to come for further trials the following week. I don't mind taking softball as my Co-Curricular Activity.
Anyway, I've got more things to worry about, like a mountain of homework to wade through. At least its the weekend.

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